Charlotte || Jacob Black & Paul Lahote

Thirty-Six: Fucking Leech

Bella had been on this diet of blood for a little more than 3 days, but it was doing her well. She actually looked human again, and not like something you'd find on Mars. However, her bump had swelled so large that she was now just wearing gowns. No pants, or maternity wear, actually fit her. It was like she was growing a baby elephant. Maybe she was. Who knows what is actually growing inside that bump, Carlisle still can't see inside it. Apparently, the sac is too thick. 

It was late. Carlisle, Emmett and Esme had left. Bella was due any minute, and Carlisle needed to be fully fed in order to pull off the plan. The idea was for Bella to give birth and then Carlisle would turn her, but the timing had to be perfect.

Jake had kept the wolves distracted, allowing for the leeches to slip through and go hunt. I didn't care much for Carlisle or Emmett, but I hope that Esme stayed safe.

"Come on Bella, I'll give you a bath," Rosalie coaxed, her and Alice pulling Bella up. Edward stood in the doorway, watching the trio. I was still confined to the couch, my stomach still sore and my head still throbbing. 

She stood up shakily, the cup of blood firmly clutched in her hand. But it slipped, cracking and splattering blood across the floor. The sight made me nauseous, and I turned away, head spinning. I did catch Bella lunging for the cup as well. Her body didn't co-operate, and I heard her spine crack.

Another wave of nausea washed over me.

Edward moved in a flash, catching her before she hit the floor. 

Everything moved in a blur from then. Bella was rushed into Carlisle's office, screaming and writhing as she did so. Rosalie and Alice followed along, taking towels as they did. 

Bella's wailing continued, and I pulled myself up shakily. The smell of blood was going to make me throw up, and I had to find a toilet. I crawled across the hallway to the bathroom, stomach crying out in pain. 

I threw myself against the toilet, the cold porcelain soothing. I retched, emptying my stomach of all the soup and water that I had had. It came out my nose. It was so gross.

As I sunk down against the bathtub, there came a cry. A babies cry. It had been born. And now it would be killed. I knew the wolves were already outside, I knew it. That baby wasn't going to live more than an hour.

The crying died down and I watched as Rosalie walked past the bathroom, a bundle of cloth in her arms. She cooed and smiled down at the cloth. This was what she had really wanted, a baby all to herself. She didn't care about Bella, who was now dying in Carlisle's office. I could hear the thumps of her chest as Edward desperately tried to revive her. I could hear his weeping, and yet here Rosalie sat cooing over the fetus. The fetus that killed my sister. 

I felt weak sitting against that tub, my stomach still churning.

Jacob's POV

We all heard it, the sound of a babies cry. The fetus had been born. I couldn't stop the wolves from thundering towards the Cullen house, this was what we had agreed. As soon as the fetus was separate from Bella, it could be killed. I joined the pack as they collided with Carlisle, Esme and Emmett.

The other vampires soon joined them, fighting against us. It was hard, I didn't want to fight them. I didn't want to hurt them. But right now, that fetus is a danger and needs to be killed. And right now, that fetus is in the house alone with my imprint. That thought alone sent me into a frenzy, snarling and snapping at any leech that came near me.

"STOP!" Carlisle's bellow halted all of us. It was loud, louder than I'd expected him to be able to produce.

"We'll leave. We'll leave Forks, no more treaty, we won't come back," Carlisle begged, his eyes focused on Esme who's shoulder was in Embry's jaw. 

I watched as Sam paused, his own gaze focused on Jared who was pinned below Emmett. 

"Jacob," Sam's voice commanded. Cool thing about being in my own pack, I can't hear the rest of the pack but I can hear other alphas. 

"Sam," I acknowledged. 

"We're considering this truce, what do you think?"

"They'll never come back to Forks? I'm happy with that," I offered.

"It's a truce," Edward spoke aloud, "As soon as Bella wakes, we will leave. You're welcome to stay here to ensure our departure." 

Sam nodded and retreated, taking the pack with him. Paul lingered, eyes focused on the second floor of the house. He nudged me and growled, gesturing at the house. He was asking me about Charlotte. I looked at Edward who shrugged. 

Immediately, I shifted back to my human form, pulling on a pair of shorts out of my pack. 

None of the leeches argued as I made my way into the house, following the sound of Charl's heartbeat. It was soft, softer than usual. Panic spurred me on, and I found her slumped against a bathtub.

Her face was pale, she looked bony, and she was limp. I knew the imprint bond was strained, I knew that it was going to affect her, but I didn't think this much. 

I picked her up, carrying her out the house. Paul sat on the front step, his shoulders heavy.

"What the fuck's wrong with her?" He snapped, taking in the sight of her as I rushed over to Bella's truck.

"Imprint bond," I snapped back, handing her over to him. He took her gently, pulling her into his chest. Her heart was louder than it had been, already strengthening with the proximity. 

I drove full speed all the way back to Emily's house, my knuckles white against the steering wheel. I was scared. She clearly hadn't been eating, she was sick and she was currently unconscious. 

The elders and pack were already at the house, discussing the agreement that we had made with the Cullens. I didn't care, pushing my way into the house, Paul following with Charl in his arms.

The pack exploded in worry, drinking in the sight of her limp body.

"She will be okay. I trust that Emily will provide her the best care, and Paul and Jake must be relieved of perimeter until she is better," my dad interrupted, his voice wise and settling over the crowd. 

We followed Emily up to her spare room, helping her to get Charlotte changed and tucked in. The room was only small, the bed even smaller, but all three of us managed to squeeze on.

I was so relieved to have her back in my arms. All those nights sleeping on the forest floor were awful, I'd missed her soft hair and cold hands and pretty eyes. I missed her.

Charlotte's POV

I awoke groggily, rubbing at my eyes. I definitely wasn't at the Cullens. Instantly I recognised the dream catcher and soft purple blankets of Emily's home. Paul lay on one side of me, his arm underneath my head; and Jake lay on the other, his arm wrapped around my waist. 

My stomach ache was gone, so was my headache. I didn't feel faint or dizzy. And I finally felt safe again. 

A silver envelope caught my eye, perched on my lap. It reminded me of the birthday gift that the Cullens had left me. I opened it gently,

"Thank you for helping me, and I'm sorry for being such a nightmare of a sister. I'll drop in some time in a few years, when I'm not so thirsty. And I'll let you meet Renesmee properly. Bella."

So she was officially gone, and officially a vampire. Fucking leech.